Alternative Medicines for Bursitis

Chiropractic medicine holds promise for most people with musculoskeletal disorders such as bursitis. Performing adjustments or manipulations with the hands, the chiropractor directs treatment not just toward the injured joint but toward the whole body, unblocking any nerve interference that may be caused by a misaligned vertebra. For example, some forms of bursitis may result from a misplacement of a cervical (neck) vertebra.

The treatment goals are to reduce inflammation in the joint, restore proper posture and movement, and bring the body back to its healthy state, preventing the bursitis from occurring again.

Only a trained practitioner is qualified to perform spinal manipulation. Chiropractors specialize in treating the spine and other joints. Osteopaths and naturopathic physicians may also employ these techniques, while physical therapists and massage therapists often incorporate elements such as trigger point therapy into their work. The treatment may also include an exercise and diet program.

Acupuncture can relieve the pain of bursitis and restore function to the joint. But perhaps more important, this therapy can address the underlying imbalance in energy, or qi, that predisposed the person to bursitis in the first place.

In assessing a patient with bursitis, the acupuncturist looks beyond the symptoms to understand the health of the entire person. A complete physical is done (noting, among other things, the pulse and color of the tongue), and a history is taken. As needed, tiny needles are inserted in certain points on the body to replenish or disperse energy, bringing it back to its ideal level. These points can also be stimulated with needles and electrical current, as well as with pressure, heat, and cold. Chinese herbs are often added to an acupuncture treatment.

An acupuncturist, traditional Chinese physician, or naturopathic physician can perform acupuncture. For your first visit, be prepared to discuss in detail your bursitis symptoms, as well as your general health, diet, and lifestyle.

Several forms of bodywork can be helpful for people with bursitis. None of these therapies claims to cure the condition. Rather, each can ease pain and bring the body back to a healthier, prime state, allowing it to heal itself. For example, massage therapy can reduce the pain of bursitis and increase blood supply to the tissues. A Swedish massage treatment for bursitis may use rhythmic, flowing strokes that are directed toward the heart.

Several bodywork techniques hold promise for bursitis sufferers:

A trained practitioner is needed to perform any of these bodywork therapies.